“I just can’t wait for our group to get probably 50 games together, but some of our individuals to play that 60-70 games, then judge us then.

“I think the expectations from year one to year two have been based on sides that have been around for hundreds of years. We’ve been around 30 to 35 games.

“It’s important that we just settle down and be patient, but making sure then when we do go out there it’s about earning respect in the AFL and that’s competing and competing hard. That’s all I look for.”

McKenna stressed the club had improved defensively in conceding 100 less points than at the same time in a debut season where they finished with three wins.

“We’re happy, if you like, to be where we are,” McKenna said.

“We’d certainly be a lot happier if we were 2-300 points better off that’s for sure.”